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Chicago 'Conclave Kids' Meet Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Square

A classroom reenactment that went viral led to a community-funded pilgrimage culminating in a personal encounter facilitated by Cardinal Blase Cupich.

Overview

  • Students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy attended the pope’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square dressed in their cardinal costumes and were seated near the front before a brief meet-and-greet.
  • Fourth-grader Auggie Wilk offered his white zucchetto to Pope Leo XIV, who tried it on briefly and then returned it, according to video shared by local media.
  • NBC Chicago reported that Pope Leo XIV gave each student a rosary to take home.
  • Cardinal Blase Cupich accompanied the group and helped introduce the Chicago students to the pope.
  • The Vatican said Pope Leo XIV will make his first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon in late November into December.